Hello Fellow Members A few years back I experienced a near complete loss of my faith in God as a result of a great many personal observations and experiences with the Church and a several Biblical contradictions I could neither make sense of, or find an answer to. I have always believed in God the Father and Christ the Son, just not the interpretation of the Bible or the manner in which many Christians treat one on other. Somehow I found my way back through extensive extra Biblical research and self reflection. However there was a great cost in surrendering my understanding of the old testament God stories and an extensive reevaluation of the meaning of Christs teaching, so as to find harmony in understanding. This has left me an outsider of sorts where most Christians are concerned as they suffer cognitive dissonance to anything that contradicts what they believe even though most cannot actually explain what they believe in an understandable manner(blind faith). I believe God directed me to a higher path of enlightenment to help me piece back together my fragmented faith in a manner that was understandable by me. However even as I feel I now have a greater understanding of the Lord and answers to a great many mysteries, I still cannot engage in Philosophical discussions with my fellow Christians as they fear anything the paradigm dogma has not spoon feed them. Even though the source of my understanding is based in the Bible and teaching the Bible has come from. I have to question the resolve of some peoples faith if they feel engaging into a conversation that could shed some light into areas many have asked questions of, could somehow undermine the Lords message. Philosophical Conversation is the sharing of like and unlike ideas sometimes resulting in greater understanding, truth is truth.
I forgot to add that even though I found a great many answers to my questions, I also found many new questions, and I suppose that is the nature of seeking spiritual enlightenment.
Hello from Connecticut. I am also a Bible believing Christian. I'm glad you're here. I hope you will find your niche. I choose a song for each new person, basing my selection on their name, location, or comments.For you it's: God Will Make A Way, by Don Moen. Feel free to message me, brother.
Welcome, @GREG OUDSHOORN I too seek truth, and I see your perspective. Though wish as I might, I fear my truth is my own. Others cloud the path with their versions of reality. And truth is truly shaped by our beliefs... Is there ever one truth? A universal ideal or set of values? I think more often they coincide and coexist, but always will deviate in some ways.
